HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996.03.14 CC Minutes - Special meeting re new Fire HallMINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 14. 1996
The Mayor reconvened the City Council meeting from March 11, 1996 at 9:0
AM.
PRESENT: Barnes, Goiffon, LaValle, Leroux„ Miron
City Administrator, Robert Museus
Fire Chief, Jim Wisner
Assistant Chiefs, Jim Compton and Joe McMahon
This meeting was called to review the Fire Department's 1995 Annual
Report, budget requests by the Department, and site selection criteria for
the proposed Fire Hall.
The Council, and the representatives from the Fire Department present,
went over the 1995 Annual Fire Department Report in detail, and discussed
the Department's training program, possible ways to recognize the
contribution of the fire fighters, and future needs of the Department.
Joe McMahon presented the Council with a list of equipment purchases
desired by the Department in 1996, including gas -operated exhaust fans,
replacement hose, a foam system for a grassfire vehicle, and the purchase
of additional foam for fire fighting. Council indicated that as long as
the equipment to be purchased was within the existing budget, they had no
objection to the Chief, and the City Administrator, making the purchases,
as required within their expenditure authority.
The Chief then requested that the City replace the current stipend paid to
certain fire fighters for attaining attendance goals with a drill -pay
system, paying each member one hour's pay for each drill attended. The
Chief stated that if this policy had been in effect in 1995, its cost
would have been $2,730 versus the $1,350 stipend paid. The Chief felt
that this system would be an inducement for fire fighters to attend
drills, and would also aid in recruiting new fire fighters. He
recommended that the City transfer $2,000 from the community education
account in the Fire budget, to the pay account to cover the additional
costs. The Department has been successful in acquiring the educational
material through community donations so that the transfer would be no loss
to the Department's educational activity. After Council discussion, the
following motion was made:
Barnes made motion, Goiffon seconded, to change the City pay policies by
deleting current stipend pay, and instead pay each fire fighter one hour's
pay for each drill they attend in 1996. This policy is to be retroactive
to January 1, 1996. In addition, $2,000 is to be transferred from the
education portion of the Department's budget into the pay account to cover
the additional cost of this program.
All aye. Motion Carried.
The Chief stated his concerns that one of the Department's two tankers had
excessive play in its front axle, and would not meet MNDOT road safety
requirements. Cost of repairs is expected to be in the area of $2,500.
Chief Wisner felt that the cost of repair may exceed the value of the
vehicle. The Council directed the Chief to prepare a recommendation on
whether to repair or replace the vehicle, and to determine if the second
City Council meeting of March 14, 1996
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tanker was necessary given the Department's past use of the vehicle, the
availability of backup vehicles from adjacent communities, and its impact
on the City's fire insurance rate.
The Chief recommended that one of the two pickup trucks be sold and not
replaced. The City Administrator informed the Council that the pickup
being purchased for the Street Department this year could be used as a
backup for the Department, if needed. The Council indicated that the
vehicle could be sold if the Chief felt it was excess to the Department's
needs.
The Council then reviewed the site selection criteria prepared by the Fire
Department, which is to aid in the selection of a site for a new Fire
Hall. After discussion, the Council directed"the Fire Department.to
gather additional information in two areas: 1) whether, based on the
assumptions made in the City's recently adopted Comp Plan, another Fire
Hall may not be warranted in the community at some time in the future, and
if so, what the proposed service areas for the two stations would be; and
2) define more exactly the minimum property requirements for the
construction of a new Fire Hall.
Barnes made motion, LaValle seconded, to adjourn at 12:10 PM.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Robert A. Museus
City Administrator